Lighting help please!!!!

Reefingmark · 04/03/2016, 08:33 PM

Ok so I am really looking to get a better color on my tank. Currently I am running a t5/halide combo light with four total ho t5's 2 blue actinic, 1 white, and 1 purple. I hate the color. I currently don't run my halide due to heat issues and also the bulbs are pure white and adds no color to my system. I need help on what t5s to run and also what de halide bulb do you suggest for what in the future is gonna be a sps dominated system. I've lost a ton of coral in this tank because my light boils the system, I know for me a chiller is inevitable but I REALLY don't want one (way to expensive). Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

theatrus · 04/03/2016, 08:49 PM

What size / dimension tank? What halide?

djbon · 04/03/2016, 09:00 PM

I'm running China black box with bridgelux LED beads. So far I'm pleased with the result. Here are some of my overly bloated LPS. My SPS frags is quite new (less than 3 months) but I see the PE are very promising with new growth.

Reefingmark · 04/03/2016, 09:06 PM

75 gallon tank. Odyssea halide.

moatdaddy · 04/03/2016, 09:12 PM

Lots of people still run halides. I personally do not due power consumption. What I would do and just my opinion.

Borrow a par meter or buy one. This will help so much. Raise your halides. See how high you can go while still maintains good par. May avoid a chiller. Add a clip on fan between tank and light.

You can see this done in a propagation thread title across nursery.

I would remove that white t5 for a blue plus. You can buy a 15k halide or 20k bulb and then you have a drastically different look.

Also some local reefers and LFS may be able to show you lights you find you like.

I have t5 only over my sps frag tank. Love it as do the corals.

Reefingmark · 04/04/2016, 08:37 AM

I'm seriously considering moving to LED Kessil lights. Or current pros.

grigsy · 04/06/2016, 10:43 PM

You just need to change your bulbs to ones that will give you more color and you are set.

If you are going to go SPS dominant like you said, your metal halide and T5 set up will be a better choice in lighting vs Kessil or Current.

Try switching to ati blue plus T5's and for DE bulbs, Hamilton 20K. That combo will give you a lot of color and great SPS growth.

jda · 04/07/2016, 07:54 AM

If you are running the bulbs that came in the Odyssey, then they all need to go. Terrible bulbs that give T5 and MH a bad name. Look at some AT Blue Plus and Coral Plus and phoenix 14K MH bulbs. The ballasts on that fixture are not great, but should be a lot better with better bulbs.

I have a chiller, but it will only run a few days a year if I just use some simple fans over the top of the tank and the sump.

04/03/2016, 08:33 PM	#1
Reefingmark Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 72	Lighting help please!!!! Ok so I am really looking to get a better color on my tank. Currently I am running a t5/halide combo light with four total ho t5's 2 blue actinic, 1 white, and 1 purple. I hate the color. I currently don't run my halide due to heat issues and also the bulbs are pure white and adds no color to my system. I need help on what t5s to run and also what de halide bulb do you suggest for what in the future is gonna be a sps dominated system. I've lost a ton of coral in this tank because my light boils the system, I know for me a chiller is inevitable but I REALLY don't want one (way to expensive). Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

04/03/2016, 08:49 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	What size / dimension tank? What halide? __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

04/03/2016, 09:06 PM	#4
Reefingmark Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 72	75 gallon tank. Odyssea halide.

04/03/2016, 09:12 PM	#5
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	Lots of people still run halides. I personally do not due power consumption. What I would do and just my opinion. Borrow a par meter or buy one. This will help so much. Raise your halides. See how high you can go while still maintains good par. May avoid a chiller. Add a clip on fan between tank and light. You can see this done in a propagation thread title across nursery. I would remove that white t5 for a blue plus. You can buy a 15k halide or 20k bulb and then you have a drastically different look. Also some local reefers and LFS may be able to show you lights you find you like. I have t5 only over my sps frag tank. Love it as do the corals.

04/04/2016, 08:37 AM	#6
Reefingmark Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 72	I'm seriously considering moving to LED Kessil lights. Or current pros.

04/06/2016, 10:43 PM	#7
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	You just need to change your bulbs to ones that will give you more color and you are set. If you are going to go SPS dominant like you said, your metal halide and T5 set up will be a better choice in lighting vs Kessil or Current. Try switching to ati blue plus T5's and for DE bulbs, Hamilton 20K. That combo will give you a lot of color and great SPS growth.

04/07/2016, 07:54 AM	#8
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	If you are running the bulbs that came in the Odyssey, then they all need to go. Terrible bulbs that give T5 and MH a bad name. Look at some AT Blue Plus and Coral Plus and phoenix 14K MH bulbs. The ballasts on that fixture are not great, but should be a lot better with better bulbs. I have a chiller, but it will only run a few days a year if I just use some simple fans over the top of the tank and the sump.